TEMPE, Ariz. — Economic activity in the manufacturing sector contracted in November for the eighth consecutive month and the 24th time in the last 25 months, say the nation's supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM Report On Business. Wood products and furniture & related products reported a decline in new orders. 

The report was issued today by Timothy R. Fiore, CPSM, C.P.M., chair of the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Manufacturing Business Survey Committee:

"The Manufacturing PMI registered 48.4 percent in November, 1.9 percentage points higher than the 46.5 percent recorded in October. The overall economy continued to expand for the 55th month after one month of contraction in April 2020. (A Manufacturing PMI above 42.5 percent, over some time, generally indicates an expansion of the overall economy.)" 

While wood products did not report a growth or contraction in overall manufacturing, furniture & related products was one of eleven industries that reported contraction along with Printing & Related Support Activities; Plastics & Rubber Products; Chemical Products; Paper Products; Transportation Equipment; Fabricated Metal Products; Machinery; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; and Primary Metals.

Ten industries reported a decline in new orders in November — in the following order: Wood Products; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Furniture & Related Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Paper Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Chemical Products; Transportation Equipment; and Primary Metals.

Wood products and furniture & related products were two of the eleven manufacturing sectors that reported lower backlogs. 

To read the full report, visit ismworld.org.